The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has descended into a high-stakes internal conflict as three distinct factions vie for control of the party’s leadership. What began as a procedural dispute has escalated into a comprehensive political war, with each camp claiming legitimacy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

At the center of the fray are loyalists of Senator David Mark, acting chairman Nafiu Gombe, and former presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu (supported by ally Kingsley Temitope Ogga). The struggle is characterized by mutual accusations of constitutional subversion, illegal "hijacking" of party structures, and external interference.

The Three Fronts of the Conflict

The party is currently fractured into three parallel administrations, each interpreting the ADC constitution to support their claims:

1. The David Mark Faction: "Rule of Law and Due Process"

This camp maintains that their leadership emerged through a constitutionally valid Caretaker/Interim National Working Committee (NWC) formed on July 29, 2025.

• The Argument: They assert that the National Executive Committee (NEC) ratified their leadership and possessed the authority to waive the "two-year membership rule" to facilitate new coalitions.

• External Allegations: Mark’s supporters have accused the Gombe and Kachikwu camps of acting as proxies for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to clear a path for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

2. The Nafiu Gombe Faction: "Constitutional Succession"

Gombe, the Deputy National Chairman, contends that he is the rightful acting leader following the resignation of former chairman Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu.

• The Argument: This faction rejects the Mark-led caretaker committee as "unconstitutional and void," arguing that a National Chairman cannot unilaterally hand over power. They maintain that no valid constitutional waivers were ever granted for the Mark group’s eligibility.

• Legal Standing: They are currently relying on a Federal High Court order to maintain the status quo ante bellum.

3. The Kachikwu/Temitope Bloc: "The Third Way"

Representing a coalition of state chairmen, this group dismisses both the Mark and Gombe camps as illegitimate.

• The Argument: They argue that any leadership body not ratified by a NEC including all state chairmen is invalid. They have positioned themselves as a "rescue mission" intended to restore internal democracy.

• The Critique: Kachikwu has been vocal in his disdain for the rival blocs, describing the current situation as "political gangsterism" led by an "old political class" seeking to rescue their personal economies rather than the nation.

Legal Deadlock and Allegations of Interference

The crisis reached a fever pitch on April 14, 2026, when the Federal High Court in Abuja directed all parties to maintain the status quo, effectively halting all congresses. However, the Mark-led faction proceeded with a National Convention on that same day, a move Kachikwu’s camp labeled as "institutional sabotage."

The Presidency and the APC have dismissed allegations of interference, suggesting that the crisis is a result of the ADC leadership’s inability to manage internal stakeholders. A presidency source reportedly characterized the situation as a failed attempt by party leaders to "sell" the party without carrying top members along.

The Road to the Supreme Court

With the party effectively operating under three different leadership structures, the ADC’s viability as an opposition platform is under severe threat. The internal warfare—marked by summary expulsions, disputed conventions, and conflicting court filings—has left the party’s grassroots supporters in a state of confusion.

The eyes of the political class now turn to the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to review the leadership tussle this Wednesday. The ruling is expected to be a watershed moment that will either unify the party or finalize its fragmentation ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.